Kingdom’s Bloodline

What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?

On the bustling street with people coming and going, Thales helped the little shabby hat on his head, and whispered to Xi Lai beside him.

Miss Kevin Dill has already changed back to her practical and simple traveling clothes, her hair has become a bird's nest again, and she even threw a little ashes on her face. No one would think that she saw it on the street. This is a noble lady.

It's nothing, you used to always wear fancy clothes, but looking at you today, you are surprisingly suitable for this poor look.

Thales' expression froze.

What do you mean? What do you mean by 'surprisingly suitable'?

He touched the standard Civilian Passerby costume that was rolled out from the theater, even the corners were torn up, with a strange expression on his face.

It's your skin, it's too pampered, it doesn't match, Xi Lai ignored his doubts, ah, yes, don't move.

The eldest lady patted the wall skillfully, and held the face of His Royal Highness without resistance (What are you doing, don't, no, let go...), wiped and rubbed vigorously.

Well, it's much better now.

Xi Lai looked at the work in front of him, nodded in satisfaction, then withdrew his scrutiny, and walked away: Okay, don't be naughty, follow up quickly, the target is moving.

His Royal Highness was left alone, to be precise, it was the little poor Thales with a dusty and smoky face, shaking his fists and jumping on the spot without resentment.

As the most famous sightseeing and entertainment place, the streets of Iris District are full of celebrating crowds:

Drunkards holding wine barrels and holding wine glasses in broad daylight are looking for people to clink glasses drunk all over the street; drunk men stumbling around in the alleys are obviously drunk and hangover; foreign high-ranking guests carry interpreters with them, gesticulating The flower girls carried baskets full of flowers, and when they saw the couples shopping, they came up and smiled; a group of ocean-going sailors who temporarily docked in the Emerald City gathered together and sang The Shark Has No Dad and The End of the Sea Eye in unison. It’s Your Home”, the lyrics are rude and vulgar, and it’s unbearable to hear (The merman baby cried and asked her mother, why am I the only one without a dad in the whole sea? Hey! Because the heroic sailors drink wine every day, happy standing on the deck facing the sea It’s so cool!”), the passing parents had to plug their children’s ears, and warned them not to work hard when they were young, and grow up to be sailors;

The parade teams passing by from time to time set up stages on the spot to publicize the reputation of their troupe or troupe; local escorts and tour guides of Emerald City can appear in every corner, looking for enthusiastic self-recommendations from outsiders; from hotels, hotels, tea rooms and restaurants or the helpers of other small shops,

Dragging people all over the street to find business; hawkers pushing carts selling trinkets, street stalls eager to occupy every corner, jugglers yelling at crowded intersections, carrying rich and expensive The horse-drawn carriages used by the guests to go to various appointments and banquets, of course, are the tourists dressed in fancy clothes and wandering through the streets along the way...

Excellent Li crystal powder festival gift tube fireworks, imported by Humble, handcrafted by the sea of ​​flames, assembled by local craftsmen, the same style of fireworks used by Kongming Palace!

Thales and Xi Lai, who were walking in a low-key manner, passed a peddler who was pushing a cart full of fireworks, yelling and selling them tirelessly, while trying to drive away the noisy children around:

Twenty coppers for one round! Sixty for five rounds, one hundred for ten rounds! Buy more and get more free, and the effect will be even better!

Defenders Sri Manny Tails and Hilley, the target of this trip, walked alone on the street after the theater ended, mixed into the crowd, watched the performance here and applauded, and went to the street vendor to buy flowers there, but no matter where he went How long did he stay, and he looked back nervously from time to time along the way, seeming to be distracted and preoccupied.

Slimani is a well-known defender in the city. He is familiar with the laws of the city and can speak eloquently. He has well-connected contacts in both the security hall and the court hall, so the fees are high, Xi Lai squatted in front of a busy stall, pretending Playing with a doll, But the more he charges, the more dignitaries will come to him to defend in court.

I know, I've seen his performance in the courtroom, and even Judge Brennan, who is as harsh as Judge Brennan, can't find fault with him, Thales squatted beside her, but he kept paying attention to the sitting position from the corner of his eye. Outside the restaurant opposite, Slimani was staring at a glass of wine in a daze, But when Slimani just talked to Kaguire, he didn't have any eloquent demeanor...

Indeed, he had a sad face along the way, unlike what a citizen of the Emerald City should look like during the Queen's Day celebration.

He must know something, Thales nodded, and whispered, whether it's about the dead Diop, or the people and things involved behind it, and those things frightened him, so he had to find Kaguire asked for news from the palace.

In the distance, Slimani breathed out, as if he had made up his mind, he dropped a few coins and left his seat, as well as the glass of wine on the table that he hadn't even drank.

Xi Lai put down the doll and stood up with Thales, disappointing the stall owner who was expecting them to buy something.

Then you are going to show up to find him?

You can't be here. It's easy to be spotted by Zhan En's eyes and ears. You have to wait for him to go to a sparsely populated place...

Then understand it and move it with emotion, 'Come on, join Prince Thales, let's defeat the Great Demon King Zhanen together'?

The two rejoined the crowd and stayed behind Slimani, watching him first reward a group of performers with a few copper coins, and then stop a flower girl, listlessly picking flowers in her basket .

If it's really not possible, Thales shook his head, ignoring the sarcasm in the other party's words, we can only ask him in a 'civilized and polite manner'.

What's the meaning?

The meme in the Star Lake Guard is related to one of my subordinates named Morgan, hey, where did you get the flowers?

Thales looked in surprise at the bouquet of flowers that suddenly appeared in Xi Lai's hand, which contained at least three colors or categories.

Of course you gave it to me! Cavendir's eldest lady was confident.

What?

Thales turned his head in a daze: at some point, a little flower seller carrying a flower basket was standing beside them, smiling and looking at Thales expectantly.

Hilley frowned:

Oh? Could it be that you don't plan to buy me flowers on a date?

Thales' expression froze.

A few minutes later, Xi Lai was walking on the street, happily playing with the flowers in his hand, while Thales touched the deflated money bag, thinking about what reason he would use to ask Zhan En to reimburse him.

Be happy, Xi Lai branched out a flower and inserted it into the hole in Thales's hat. After all, we are following, we have to blend in with the crowd, and behave naturally so that we don't get caught.

While speaking, Slimani held a bouquet of flowers, wandered around, hesitated for a while outside an unremarkable barber shop, and finally walked in.

Thales and Xi Lai hurriedly stopped, pretending to be tired tourists, and sat down to rest on a broken stone slab across the street.

I can't believe that he has been walking like a headless chicken for so long, and finally he came, uh, to shave his head? Thales was a little helpless.

Compared to this, Xi Lai said, during the Emerald Festival, there are still shops open for business?

Thales shook his head. He awakened the crime of Hell River, entered the hell senses, focused on vision and hearing, and observed the movement in the shop across the street with people coming and going.

Welcome, shave your head or trim your beard?

Several clerks in the barber shop were sitting casually on the ground, playing cards one after another. Seeing customers coming, one of the clerks stood up lazily under the urging and squeeze of his companions, and pulled out the chair. The veil on his back was tied around his waist as an apron.

Slimani took a deep breath: I...

Sorry, our manicurist went back to the country to get married.

The shaving guy's face was full of reluctance. He picked up a razor, dipped it in water, and scratched casually on the whetstone: But there is a discount during the Queen's Day. Two people get together for free...

Slimani smiled unnaturally. He walked to a vase in the shop, took away the dead branches inside, and inserted the newly bought fresh flowers into it crookedly.

The guy's eyes changed, and he stopped sharpening his knife.

Oh, nice flower, the clerk winked at his companions, and the others dropped the game one after another, Are you a regular customer?

Yes, I think, I want to find Balta, the defender said with embarrassment, I came here a few days ago, you should recognize me.

After Slimani finished speaking, he took out a few copper coins from his pocket.

The guys in the store glanced at each other, and the guy who was talking nodded and took the copper coins skillfully.

The boss has gone out and won't be back in a short time. But, if there is anything, you can leave a message, and we will pass it on, and make sure it's accurate.

Slimani was taken aback for a moment, a little puzzled:

What? Balta is out? At this time?

Yes, at this time!

The shaved guy weighed the copper coins in his hand, and seemed a little dissatisfied: Do you have any objections?

Slimani was affected by the attitude of the other party, and his face was ugly, but he still took a deep breath and said patiently:

No, of course not, I'm just...but this is the Emerald Festival, what on earth does he have to go out...

Going to a party with old friends! The lead guy said impatiently.

Hey, stop talking nonsense! Either leave a message, shave your head, or get out, another guy said bluntly, We are not a security department, we also have a holiday, we have to celebrate, and we have to go back to spend time with our wife and children, okay?

As soon as this remark came out, the expressions of several guys were not good.

Slimani is a well-respected defender, and he seldom suffers from such idleness on weekdays. When he heard the words, his face was not angry, and he was about to walk away in a fit of anger, but he turned halfway, gritted his teeth and turned back, not without heartache. Take out a silver coin.

Okay, then me, can I wait here for the boss to come back?

The guys exchanged glances. The leader had just untied his apron. Hearing this, he smiled and pointed to the hair art painting on the wall.

A few minutes later, Slimani put on a scarf and a veil, sat anxiously on a chair, and let the lead man trim his beard and hair with a sharp razor in his hand.

That's great, Xie Lai sighed, and unwrapped the flower belt in boredom. Now we have to stay here until he finishes shaving his head. It's really a real spy experience.

Those people in the shop, they are on the road. Thales lowered his head and took out the flowers in his hat.

Xi Lai's eyes moved: How do you know?

Which barber have you ever seen with such an attitude, as if waiting for customers to come to beg him?

That's not necessarily true, Hilley pouted, I only know one who looks like holding scissors and a razor, just like holding a magic gun.

Thales shook his head:

There is only one explanation: this shop, they are not in the business of shaving hair, but selling other things.

for example?

I don't know, but I think they should be members of the Blood Bottle Gang, or a small gang under the Blood Bottle Gang.

Hillage asked, How do you know?

Because they're not like a fraternity.

What?

The blood bottle gang and the Black Street Brotherhood have different sources of personnel. The difference is obvious. It can be seen from the demeanor, movements, habits, and the level of their dealings. And those guys are obviously... Thales subconsciously True, but he immediately noticed the suspicious look cast by Hilley, Oh, I, I heard what Wyah said, he, um, is well-informed.

Shirley glanced at him and rearranged the order of the flowers in her hand.

Wiaya again?

Uh, yes, it's Wyah again.

Which Wyah?

That's right, a certain Wyah.

Xi Lai, who was full of contempt, and Thales, who was smiling awkwardly, looked at each other for a second.

Well, I have to say that your 'some Wyah' is quite knowledgeable. Facing the busy street, Xi Lai pouted, he was at least half right.

half?

The Brotherhood only entered the Emerald City more than ten years ago, and its influence is only in the area around the North Gate Bridge in the new suburb. But the Blood Bottle Gang, as I said, they are local snakes, and they are familiar with the rules on the streets of the Emerald City, Xi Lai Said, In their place, you rarely see policing crimes like other places: theft, extortion, kidnapping, robbery, murder all the bad things that keep businessmen away.

how do you know?

Please, Your Highness, I grew up here.

No, what I'm asking is, how do you know what 'elsewhere' is like?

Shirley glanced at him.

Oh, this, I heard what 'Wyah' said.

Thales shrugged helplessly, and bit Which Wyah to death in his mouth.

I really hold a grudge.

Thales changed the subject:

Then I guess, here, taking the Blood Bottle Gang as an example, the way they go to the streets to beg for life is also different?

Yes, they are largely integrated into the normal economy and production, at best a little out of line.

For example?

Hillary thought about it:

Rather than gangsters, they are more like guilds. People from the same occupation, situation, and region gather together in one place: barbers, shoemakers, blacksmiths, printers, coachmen, porters...

Then how do they get money to operate?

Protection fees, taxation, transportation fees, intermediary fees, cooperation with large chambers of commerce, industry joint monopoly, operating gray businesses in the cracks of the law... They use legal and illegal methods to get a share of the prosperous Emerald City trade Geng, I heard that some of them even directly participate in the operation, almost no different from businessmen. And as long as it is kept within the bottom line and not too much, the Police Department will even cooperate with them.

Thales frowned: It sounds like an informal street management.

Who said it wasn't?

And this is the result of generations of indulgence and instigation by Kevin Dill?

It's 'incorporation' and 'utilization', Hilley corrected. My great-grandfather, the Duke of Cork, the 'Gorgon', believed that there are always things in this world that cannot be fully controlled, 'There are always gaps in good bread'.

Your great-grandfather... the one who asked the maid who came to menstruate to serve the blood guests?

What?

fine.

During the casual chat, Thales was also paying attention to the movement in the barber shop.

I didn't expect that, the Duke of South Bank is quite knowledgeable, a card player chatted, When I came to the store today, I even asked where our razors and ointments were purchased from, what price, and whether the market went up or down. Ask, unlike those cavalier gentlemen in my country who only know how to show off.

Slimani was originally sitting on a chair absent-mindedly, and was startled when he heard this.

Hey, what's the matter!

The man who was shaving Slimani's head was smoking a cigarette, and answered with disdain:

I heard from the boss that the Kevin Dill family has invested in a lot of business, of course. They have mines in their family. The asphalt crystal business in the territory alone is enough for him to earn. In short, if the Duke wants to pretend to be knowledgeable, he can't. It couldn't be easier! Besides, how do you know it wasn't a cheat sheet prepared for him by his subordinates in advance?

what are you saying?

Slimani reacted, his face pale:

You mean, Duke Jann has been here today?

Isn't it? The man continued without noticing Slimani's expression, Your lord is on a parade. The Duke's team passed this street in the morning. Our shop is not dead. We are elected as the Duke and go deep into the people. The model store I visited, haha, can you believe it? Us? Model? Hahaha!

Compared to the business of Roger and Gutierrez, we are of course a model! Craftsmen! Why is it not worthy of the Duke to visit the people?

Go deep into the people? Pooh! Just like those knight masters in your country, just show off!

The guy who shaved his head changed his hand to flick the cigarette ash, as if he had suffered a lot and had a deep hatred:

It is said that it is to imitate the king and queen parading the people hundreds of years ago, but in fact it is the same fucking every year. However, there are a few fixed routes around the Emerald City, and a large number of servants and servants are waiting on the saddle. No matter how shiny the little duke is Walking down in front and back, smiling and shaking hands with us little people, asking about their health, how old are you this year, how many people in your family are eating well, are you warm and healthy?

The other card player turned around and laughed: I know, it's safe and hypocritical to give another long and stinky 'I'm fine with you, I'll be better with you' nonsense speech ...

The guy who shaved his head shook his head and squeezed his throat:

Of course, basically everyone smirked and nodded in cooperation, and responded excitedly, 'We're having a great time'.

Slimani stared blankly at himself in the broken mirror, swallowed his throat, and joined the chat:

Then, they, I mean, were you sincere when you 'smirked and nodded' in front of Duke Jann?

The guy who shaved his head frowned and shook his razor: Yes, of course!

He smiled sarcastically:

When the majestic Grand Duke stands in front of you, do you know how you feel? Especially when you know that he can crush you to death with just a move of a finger... Ha, when he blinks your eyelids, your heart shudders. You're going to be scared to death, he grinned, your legs are shaking!

Hearing this, Slimani shook his head and gritted his teeth.

Sorry, I shaved crookedly just now, I'll fix it for you.

The guy who shaved his head lit a cigarette again, changed his pair of scissors, and shook his head disdainfully.

Slimani stared blankly at the mirror. He was always harsh on his hairstyle, but he ignored this mistake that would drive him crazy in the past.

Across the street, Thales was also fascinated, and unconsciously rubbed the flowers in his hands.

A card player lost a hand, he threw down his cards angrily, and took out a few coins:

I know, especially when the duke is full of officials, big and small, huddled in front and back, terrified, smiling, and dozens of pairs of eyes staring at you intently waiting for your answer!

The guy who won the game laughed and happily collected the money:

And at the end of the line, the little official who is directly in charge of your livelihood, just looking for excuses to check taxes can make you unable to eat around, is still looking at you with a smile on his face, encouraging 'Come on, what do you say? , don’t be afraid, tell the truth to the Duke’!”

Honestly, he's paralyzed!

Honestly? Like 'Hey my lord duke, can you melt down the gold urinal in the palace and give us a little more pay'?

Dare to say that in person? If you want to be an official later on, you have to find Qingpi who is in charge of this area, and then Qingpi will go to the boss. When the boss comes back, he will melt you down first!

Hahahahaha...

I can't help it, they are adults, they are masters, they are nobles with good fortune, what are you doing if you are melted? Brother, sit down and don't move around. I'm shaved and injured!

Slimani nodded reluctantly, restraining his trembling body.

At that time, don't say it's just a small complaint, the man who shaved his head took a puff of smoke, and continued, No matter how great your grievances and sufferings are, thousands of words can still be combined into a sentence that knows current affairs, 'Life is good. Yeah, thanks lord' isn't it? Hey, who's to say, who's to say it's not fucking sincere? It's better than my fucking groveling when I ask my boss for back pay 'I know I know, thank you boss for trying' You have to be sincere, you have to be sincere!

A copper coin, a buddy in the game chuckled, I won't tell Boss Balta about that.

Fuck you!

Hey, you are still very dissatisfied looking at this, please be content, Slimani said nervously amidst the frolic, The dignified Duke shook hands with you and greeted you with a smile, what else do you want?

The guys exchanged glances with each other.

Slimani said in a daze: As a duke, Mr. Zhann cares about the sufferings of the people and your livelihood, he is always higher than him, don't care about the shit, okay, like the group of people in the north, like the gentlemen of the capital?

The card player scratched his head: Well, it's true to say that, but at the time, I thought... Oh, anyway, I just don't think it's right.

He cares about a hammer!

The guy who shaved his head dropped the scissors, picked up the razor with a pooh sound, and began to shave Slimani:

Don't look at that duke with a smile on his face, he looks easy to get along with...but I know, I just know, he cares about a fart! Maybe he will quietly gossip with his subordinates as soon as he turns around, the fucking group of shaved heads It's so dirty'!

Hey, you're showing off now, aren't you! The Duke is an aristocrat and a man of culture, the card player lazily said, They know how to use a lot of words, and they are all well-mannered, but they don't know how to swear!

He's a damned duke! Lord of the Emerald City!

The guy who shaved his head sneered and said:

Isn't he supposed to come to our shop and put on a smirk, shake a useless hand, and wait for everyone to applaud and say that this trivial thing is useless? He should sit in the Kongming Palace and sign a document, Approve the budget, repair the big hole in front of this street, and let the green skins reduce their business on credit, by the way, and reduce the litigation deposit for wage arrears lawsuits, don't make it only the boss Can afford a lawsuit...

Two copper coins, I won't tell the boss!

roll!

He has to do that, to put on a gesture, to calm people's hearts, a slightly older guy poured himself a glass of water slowly, it's the same as Boss Fogg going shopping from time to time to visit the bosses, of course , the bosses everywhere are polite on the surface, but they don’t like him very much behind the scenes.”

But the bosses are still playing for Fogg. The card player reminded.

The Emerald City is not the same as the king, and we are not the same as the black silk. The upper class belongs to the upper class, but it just means 'I recognize you as the boss but you don't bother me', the guy who shaved his head laughed, The bosses of various sites have made the businesses of all walks of life so prosperous, who wants to cut the meat out? As for the boss Fogg, yes, he is the boss in name, but he wants to intervene in these businesses like a king manages the duke? Hehe, Difficult!

In the shop, Slimani just sat on the chair in a daze, motionless, letting the clerk's razor go back and forth to shave.

Across the street, Thales clenched his fists.

What are you in a daze for? What are you thinking?

Thales was startled, and found that it was the bored Xi Lai holding up flowers and drawing circles back and forth in front of his eyes.

that power.

Thales sighed, remembering the battle of wits and courage with the Black Prophet in the secret department, and expressed his feelings:

Many times, power doesn't have to act at all. As long as it stays there quietly and maintains a posture, it can exert unimaginable influence.

Shirley stared at him and didn't speak for a long time.

Okay, it's finished shaving, can you take a look?

In the barber shop, the clerk lifted up the scarf and drape, and extended his hand to Slimani with a smile.

Slimani came back to his senses, and he didn't have time to worry about his crookedly shaved head, so he asked quickly:

Balta hasn't come back yet?

The guy shrugged, but he didn't take back his flat palm:

The boss is going to meet friends, maybe he drank too much, maybe he won't come back.

Slimani frowned, took out a silver coin as he walked, and stuffed it into the hand of the clerk. The clerk was startled and quickly hid it in his clothes to avoid being seen by his fellow workers.

Okay, I figured it out, did you offend the big shot?

Slimani's face changed when he heard this:

You, how do you know?

The guy smiled slyly:

Don't forget, we are barbers, who else is like us, who can make people, for example, you willingly let go of all guards, and expose your eyes, nose, throat and other vulnerable parts to the threat of a sharp razor so calmly and dangerously?

Slimani looked at the fellow in shock.

Only at this time, in this chair at the mercy of slaughter, people will show their most relaxed and real side. The clerk touched the inner pocket containing the coins, At this time, the news you got, Only the most reliable ones are often the eyesight of us guys trained by Boss Balta, but it’s poisonous.

Slimani was speechless.

They really didn't shave their heads!

Across the street, Thales took a deep breath and suddenly said:

The shop is just a front. These people are buying and selling underground news.

How do you know? Hilley asked suspiciously.

I……

Thales paused, and then he came to his senses, and made up a lie unnaturally:

Uh, did you see Slimani handing them silver coins? But the guy didn't give anything, he just talked about it, and the deal can only be news, right?

Xi Lai narrowed his eyes, his eyes full of disbelief.

Thales could only smile dryly.

The clerk in the shop patted Slimani on the chair, and said to him in the mirror:

Well, for the sake of your wealth, don't say I didn't warn you: you're in trouble.

Slimani was startled: What?

The buddy flipped his fingers, and the razor had been tricked in his hand:

Here, just the young couple across the street, that poor boy and that flower girl, they've been there for a long time, neither kissing nor selling flowers, the man said with a chuckle, It can't just be the end of the quarrel Are you here to break up?

The poor boy and the flower girl, but Thales' eyes changed drastically!

You mean... I'm being followed? In the shop, Slimani's complexion changed drastically, and he quickly looked across the street!

Oops!

Across the street, Thales gritted his teeth. He quickly looked away and grabbed Xi Lai's hand:

We were seen through by them!

Hilley shuddered!

She pulled out her hand as if being burned, put her hands in her bosom and tightened the gloves tightly, letting the flowers scattered all over the ground, her voice trembling:

How do you know?

I just know, they're suspicious of us, don't look there! Let's go! Thales was about to stand up, but Xi Lai, who had a bad complexion, pressed his shoulder to stop him.

etc!

Xi Lai calmed down her breath, gritted her teeth and said:

It's too late to go at this time, it will only be more suspicious.

Then what to do?

Cooperate with me, Xi Lai looked at the pedestrians on the street, let's put on a show.

What play?

In the next second, without waiting for Thales' reaction, Xi Lai stuck up and took off Thales' hat.

Um, don't, Thales felt a little uncomfortable looking at the girl who was so close that he could see eyelashes clearly, Although I don't object, it's too much to act like a couple at this time...and your brother will

The devil wants to pretend to be a couple with you!

Xi Lai denied him coldly, which made Thales embarrassed for a while.

The next second, Xi Lai stood up, threw Thales' hat into the sky, and said loudly with a smile on his face:

Okay, enough rest! The show continues! Guys, don't miss it!

Xi Lai's voice was soft and sweet, and the people passing by on the street gradually attracted their attention and stopped in front of Xi Lai.

Thales sat there in a daze, unable to react.

But he also noticed that in the barber shop across the street, the skeptical guy and Slimani were also stunned.

In the next second, Xi Lai turned around and threw a murderous death eye knife at Thales.

His Royal Highness was shocked, stood up abruptly, squeezed out a smiling face, and opened his arms to the people on the street:

Take a look, take a look, it's a pity to miss it, it's a pity to pass by, take a look, everyone came to take a look!

Seeing Xi Lai yelled, stretched out his hand deftly, caught the hat that fell from the sky, buckled his arm inward, pulled out a handful full of flower petals, and sprinkled it on the street!

Flowers and rain fell all over the sky, amidst the exclamation of the street audience, Xi Lai smiled like a flower, and put on a gesture of thanks for watching:

The Emerald Celebration is boundless joy! The magic family from the mysterious place, the brothers and sisters of the street magic masters Wyah and Wyana, who have been passed down to today, are here to present you a wonderful magic show!